are these just friendship badges or are they something else?

[torstenbel]

These do not appear to me like simple mass-market type friendship badges...do you know what they are? First up is with DDR crest and the Polish Eagle...

[torstenbel]

the other one I have got is with the DDR crest and the Soviet crest...

[uscob]

I think they're MfS "Erkennungsabzeichen".
Typical Style.
Nico

[torstenbel]

I think they're MfS "Erkennungsabzeichen".
Typical Style.
Nico

they may well be, but I do not think that they are typical Erkennungsabzeichen...I have seen several designs of these badges and not just the Polish and Soviet type ones and they are all the same red colour...typical Erkennungsabzeichen would come in very strong and vibrant colours which are different from eachother so that others can easily spot the badge and also can easily spot what rank or unit the person belongs to. I have seen them offered as Stasi-Erkennungsabzeichen elsewhere, but I am doubtful of that....but not ruling it out either...if you know what I mean...but, they are certainly not typical Erkennungsabzeichen. Cheers, Torsten.

[torstenbel]

Hi Nico, I have now had two other people tell me that they think these were Stasi Undercover pins... I am surprised at that, as these do not appear to fit the mould of Stasi undercover pins...but that is what I go with as well now... Cheers, Torsten.